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What’s keeping the water industry up at night? And how can young professionals help bring water into focus this National Water Week?

In this Season Two Finale, we bring together three generations of AWA Young Water Professionals of the Year: Chelsea Hayward (2023), Sam Skinner (2024), and Jess Bohorquez (2025) our host, for a special conversation on the challenges, opportunities, and impact of YWPs across the sector.

From tackling water security and climate resilience to attracting new talent and advocating beyond the industry, this episode dives into how the next generation is driving change and shaping the future of water.

To round out the conversation, AWA President Kevin Werksman joins the discussion, sharing reflections on leadership, visibility, and the role of initiatives like the Chris Davis AM Fellowship, which has supported this season and helped secure the podcast’s future.

Recorded across Kaurna Country, Naarm (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), and Cammeraygal Country, this National Water Week special episode celebrates the people and ideas bringing water into focus for all of us.

🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊

#OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy

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Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

Send us a message!

What keeps the water industry up at night?

How can young water professionals shape the future of our sector?

And how do we make sure everyone (not just those of us in the industry) truly values water?

Tune in NEXT WEEK for the Season Two Finale Episode with:

✨ Chelsea Hayward (2023 YWP of the Year), process engineer at Jacobs and global volunteer currently based in Cambodia.

✨ Sam Skinner (2024 YWP of the Year), Associate Process Engineer at Aurecon and leader in sustainable water innovation.

With the special appearance of Kevin Werksman, President of the Australian Water Association!

Tune in for inspiration, insights, and some honest reflections on where the water sector is headed and the role of the next generation in getting us there.

🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊

#OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy

Follow us:
👉 LinkedIn
👉 YouTube

Intro/Outro music credit to Leva

Send us a message!

What does real innovation look like in the water sector, and what’s holding it back?

In this special 40th episode of Our Water Connection, we celebrate a unique milestone with a cross-podcast connection! Our host, Jess Bohorquez, was recently invited to be the guest on Episode 40 of Executive Exchange, an Isle Utilities podcast and to mark the occasion, we have invited their host, Dr. Piers Clark, to join us!

Piers is a global leader in water innovation. As the founder and former Chairman of Isle Utilities, he has worked with over 350 utilities around the world to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies. From Thames Water to private equity and the creation of the pioneering Technology Approval Group (TAG), Piers brings unmatched insight into what it takes to drive real change in the water sector.

In this episode, we explore:

• What innovation means in the water sector
• Why it's so hard to scale new technologies
• The role of regulation, risk, and leadership in enabling innovation
• What sets successful innovators apart
• And Piers' message to the next generation of water professionals

This episode was recorded on Kaurna Country.

🎧 Tune in now and stay curious about water! 🌊

#OurWaterConnection #WaterCuriosity #WaterManagement #KnowledgeSharing #WaterProfessionals #WaterLiteracy

Follow us:
👉 LinkedIn
👉 YouTube

Intro/Outro music credit to Leva